FURY AS LABOUR 'SILENCES WINTER FUEL PAY DEBATE

FURIOUS pensioners have shamed Labour for trying to silence them by blocking a vote on winter fuel payments.

- Steph Spyro

• “Cowardly' Starmer stalls vote on scrapping cruel cut for pensioners

Dozens of retired union members gathered outside the party's conference yesterday to oppose the decision to axe the lifeline which is worth up to £300.

Delegates also booed when it was announced that a debate set for yesterday on a winter fuel U-turn would be delayed until tomorrow when many activists will have left. The vote is non-binding but it would have been an humiliating blow to Labour on the day of a key speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer's address today.

The PM flies to New York soon afterwards for a UN gathering so he will miss the cuts vote entirely.

A Tory spokesman commented: "Cowardly Keir jetting off to America rather than facing the music of his own members shows even he can't justify his callous decision to his own supporters.

"Maybe it's because he knows his decision to axe the winter fuel payments is the wrong one and will cause unbearable suffering across the country. There is still time to change course and reinstate the payment before it's too late."

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said yesterday: "Labour leaders have tried to silence the voice of pensioners, workers and communities at party conference in this blatant manoeuvre to block debate on winter fuel cuts and the departure towards Austerity Mark 2.

"There will be real anger among everyday people. Real anger." Her union said it has faced "constant attempts" this week by the Labour leadership to block its protest motion to save the handout.